The first festive family fun afternoon at Barnard Castle’s parish church has been judged a huge success.
St Mary’s, in Newgate, was quickly reconfigured after Sunday service to cater for an array of activities ranging from crafts and games to music and other entertainment – including a hugely popular Scalextric racing circuit.
Among the guests was acting Bishop of Durham and Bishop of Jarrow Rt Revd Sarah Clark, who came to see the stunning new Windows for the King at the church, which commemorate Richard III’s connections to Barnard Castle.
St Mary’s vicar Revd Canon Alec Harding said: ‘The idea was to offer people a relaxed afternoon enjoying one another’s company with some activities and the opportunity to hear the Christmas story.
“It came out of an idea from some members of our community orchestra and it blossomed out of that.”
Revd Harding said the church was now an established community venue alongside a place of worship.
“We have been using the church as more than just a place of worship for a long time. Being able to move the pews around is a huge help and it gets more people through the door.
“It emphasises that this is a parish church that belongs to the parish.”
